72 Cards in this Set

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons or to muscles or glands

Myelin Sheath

a layer of fatty cells segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons

Neural impulse

electrical signal passing through axon

Action Potential

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge (all or none, happens or doesn’t based on threshold) that travels down an axon

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse (a value in mV)

Synapse

Junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron & the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons;When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse & bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether it will generate a neural impulse

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system
;A set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue & affect another

Adrenal Glands

A pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys
;Secrete hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) & norepinephrine (nonadrenaline), which help to arouse the body in times of stress

Pituitary Gland

Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates grown & controls other endocrine glands

Lesion

Tissue destruction (not necessarily a stroke, can be a deficiency);A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Electrocephlogram (EEG)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface; These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp (not sensitive enough to detect deeper)

CT Scan (computed tomography (CAT scan)

A series of x-ray photographys taken from different angles & combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body (can show blood clots and other build ups of fluid)

PET Scan (position emission tomography

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task (used to look at people who are mentally ill with a physiological marker- Alzheimer’s, Schizophrenia)

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

A technique that uses magnetic fields & radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain

Brainstem

The oldest part & central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull

Medulla

Base of the brainstem
;Controls heartbeat & breathing

Reticular Formation

A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal (norepinephrine)

Thalamus

The brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem;It directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex & transmits and replies to the cerebellum

Cerebellum

The “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem;It helps coordinate voluntary movement & balance

Limbic System

A doughnut shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem & cerebral hemispheres
;Associated with emotions such as fear and aggression & drives for food, sex, drugs, video games—reinforcing rewards
;Includes septum, hippocampus, amygdala, & hypothalamus

Amygdala

2 almond shaped neural cluster that are linked to components of the limbic system & are linked to emotion

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres;The body’s ultimate control & information processing center (amout of surface area determines how much it allows you to inhibit, aka what you can’t do)

Glial Cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, & protect neurons (in the cortex)

Frontal Lobes

involved in speaking & muscle movements and in making plans & judgments (individualism)

Parietal Lobes

include the sensory cortex (involved in sensory integration and higher order thought)

Occipital Lobes

visual areas

Temporal Lobes

auditory areas

Motor Cortex

area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements (responsible for initiation of movement)

Sensory Cortex

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers & processes body sensations (more intelligent animals dedicate less area to this in the brain)

Aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage, either to Broca’s area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impairing understanding)

Broca’s Area

an area of the left frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech (near beginning of temporal lobe)

Wernicke’s Area

an area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension & expression (near end of temporal lobe)

Plasticity

The brain’s capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage (especially in children) & in experiments on the effects of experience on brain development

Corpus Callosum

Large band of neural fibers;Connects the two brain hemispheres;Carries messages between the hemispheres

Split Brain

A condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the Corpus Callosum) between them

Chromosomes

Threadlike structures made of DNA that contains the genes

DNA

Complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes;Has two strands-forming a “double helix” held together by bonds between pairs of nucleotides

Genes

Biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes;A segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

Genome

The complete instructions for making an organism;Consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes

Natural Selection

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction & survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations (Darwin, Functionalism)

Mutation

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change in the sequence of nucleotides (Darwin, Functionalism)

Evolution Psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior & the mind, using the principles of national selection

Gender

In psych, the characteristics, whether biologically or socially influenced, by which people define male & female

Behavior Genetics

Study of the relative power & limits of genetic & environmental influences on behavior

Environment

Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people & things around us